These insights are based on interactions with students doing PhDs in Scandinavian countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
PhD programs in Scandinavian nations are considered jobs, and you are treated as an employee of the university with a salary. The program has a fixed tenure, and you receive all the job benefits.
The following points are based on numerous interactions with students pursuing PhDs in these nations, and these factors make Scandinavia a top destination to pursue a PhD, especially for the average Indian student:
• Offers some of the best salaries in PhD programs
• Indian students can save around Rs 1 Lac per month during their PhD
• PhD duration of 3 to 3.5 years
• Industrially funded programs
• Professors encourage maintaining a work-life balance
• No lab work on Saturday and Sunday
• Minimum stress or work pressure during the PhD
• At least two international conferences per year, fully sponsored by the university
• Minimum 3-month visit to other international universities like NUS or NTU
• High quality of life in these countries
• Opportunities for both industrial and academic careers post-PhD
• Medical and transportation allowances for trips home
• Harsh winter weather with very low temperatures
• Cities are generally not very large
• Low population
• Relaxed lifestyle compared to the USA
Summary:
Overall, a PhD in Scandinavia provides a very good lifestyle, quality of work, and the ability to enjoy the journey. This can be the best destination for an average Indian student who does not have an IIT/NIT background but is interested in conducting quality research while earning a salary.
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